In "Reeling for the Empire," one of the eight stories appearing in Karen Russell's "Vampires in the Lemon Grove," a young woman pines for adventure in a rapidly changing 19th-century Japan. Falling for the dubious charms of a "recruitment agent," what she gets instead is a life-draining job in a silk factory.

This being Russell - author of the wildly imaginative "Swamplandia!" as well as an equally inventive prior story collection - a potentially naturalistic tale lands instead in the twilight zone. | Feb. 8, 2013»Read Full Article

Faced with a crush of patrons trying to get into the Summerfest grounds Saturday night, festival officials took the extraordinary step of allowing people into the grounds for free for a short time, an official said.

Summerfest spokesman John Boler said he could not remember the last time the festival made such a move. He said it was necessary given the size of the crowd. | June 30, 2013»Read Full Article(58)

Milwaukee police now say they believe a street musician who said she was assaulted in a racially motivated incident because of the song she was playing.

Cassandra Struve told WITI Fox 6 News in Milwaukee she was assaulted by three black women because she was white and playing the standard, "Minnie the Moocher," on her saxophone around 11 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of E. Chicago St. outside Summerfest. | June 29, 2013»Read Full Article(78)

Journal Sentinel music writer Piet Levy got the chance to interview Imagine Dragons backstage at the Miller Lite Oasis a few hours before the group's headlining show at Summerfest. The band answers "10 for Tap," covering topics like their favorite Milwaukee memory, what stood out from their whirlwind year and what's next for the group.

THREE TO SEE: JUNE 29

Something known: Imagine Dragons (10 p.m. Miller Lite Oasis). A year ago, it was an opener at Summerfest. Now Imagine Dragons returns as the hottest new alternative rock act of the hour, evident by the exuberance of the sold-out crowd the Eagles Ballroom in March. | June 29, 2013»Read Full Article(1)